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3D Printing

The history of printing
dates back from the T'ang Dynasty when the Chinese developed woodblock
printing. 2D printing is nothing but printing text and images on
a paper having X, Y dimensions. While 3D printing adds one more dimension,
depth i.e. printing an object having X, Y & Z dimensions. The history of 3D
printing dates back to 1859 where François Willème began creating photo-sculpture of
living people in 3 dimensions using cameras1.

In 1983 Charles 'Chuck' Hull, father of 3D printing
invented a breakthrough technology, stereo- lithography. 3D printing or additive manufacturing is a process
where 3D solid objects are made from a digital file, CAD (Computer Aided
Design) file by using layer upon layer approach with mixture of several
inks and additives ranging from plastics to metals and specially developed
clays depending on what the end product is.
It is more competent than traditional methods as there are less waste
materials therefore satisfying concerns about environmental issues.

3D printing technologies have been
illustrated in Figure 1 below1, 2.

Figure 1 Source: 3D printing technologies

3D printing is a
classic disruptive technology according to the disruption pattern identified by
Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen3. Another
disruptive aspect of 3D printing is the reality that a single machine can
create immensely different products. In traditional manufacturing the
production line must be custom-made if the product line is changed. It
eventually requires expensive investment in tooling and extensive factory
down-time.

Click print physical
3D object, just like a document is no longer a science fiction, but it’s a new
reality. The ability to print on demand
could lead to a shift from mass production to more local production, nearer to
the end user’s site. This may lead to growth of smaller and medium sized
developers and investors as costs of 3D printers become more affordable.

The impact of 3D printing on human life will be
profound with its market forecast to reach $40bn by 20274.

Here intention is to share information about 3D
printing and make aware common man about this revolutionary world with few
illustrations below.

Touchable pictures:
Blind and visually impaired
people can print a 3D version of a photograph to visualize it via touch. Expectant mothers can now create 3D
models of their unborn babies.

Body
parts & organs: FDA has
approved 3D printed facial implants recently. Chinese boy with bone cancer has
a 3D printed spine,which will
enable him to walk. Harvard Universityresearchers
have made the first entirely 3D printed
heart on a chip with integrated sensing. This will enhance drug design &
development process.

Lightweight
casts: The Cortex exoskeletal cast is light,
washable, breathable and recyclable alternative to the traditional plaster
cast. It is hygienic as well as wearable and is based on and X-ray and 3D scan
of the patient’s fracture.

Space
manufacturing: Like car
companies, airlines shall use 3D printed components to increase the strength
and safety of their products. NASA has launched a 3D printer into space
enabling astronauts to manufacture spare parts, tools and supplies5.
NASA is also interested in using 3D printing to create food for astronauts. It
is considered that pizza could easily be produced on a 3D printer due to the
distinct layers.

Clean
factories: 3D printing of entire
car in single piece will not only reduce cycle time, waste produce, and human
resource but shall also improve efficiency of assembly line.

Carbon
credit: 3D print shops may grow
on streets soon. This would significantly decrease the number of items being
shipped around the world hence cutting down the pollution, eventually carbon
footprint.

Better education: Availability and affordability of 3D printers will make STEM education
more attractive and interesting.

Micro
batteries: 3D printed
lithium-ion micro batteries, smaller than a grain of sand, can be used to
manufacture miniaturized devices from medical implants to tiny insect-like
flying robots.

It is interesting to see flow of 3D printing through
various industries. Impact of 3D printing on several industries can be charted
based on their current application against future potential as depicted in Figure
2 below6.

Figure 2: Impact of
3D printing on several industries

If we try to imagine
future of 3D printing then it will be a plant without a factory floor but with
a dais for innovation, facilitating creation to thrive in exceptional areas and
initiating a new generation of doit- yourself (DIY) firms.